Uses of an Acoustic Camera

Uses of an Acoustic Camera

Description

An acoustic camera is an innovative way for locating, visualizing, quantizing and auraling sound sources. It uses the capabilities of a microphone array with a camera to “paint” a picture of the sound and the various sound intensities. The sound intensity, various octave bands and frequency bands are visualized and can be adjusted to identify the strongest over all noise source in a multisource environment.

Most models provide realtime feedback of sound intensities on a screen that the user can triangulate to various spots and listen to various sources one by one. Some models are can do more complex functions such as pinpoint visual range and measuring the source distance omitting a need to measure physically the distance between the camera. Similar to microphone arrays, the larger the array, the more accurate the detection will be.

How an Acoustic Camera works

Acoustic cameras like microphone array serve as a non-intrusive tool in investigating and understanding various sound sources. With the visual, the user is able to understand not just the sound intensity but also how it direction and the exposure. This allows for a large area to be tested and investigated in a short period of time through mapping out the flow of the sound and how it spreads.

Take for example the case studies below, one investigating the sound insulation of a house for acoustic leakage and the other investigating the source of sewage pipes in a building.

We can see from both examples, the location of sound source was easily identify detect and measurements were taken done from afar. We can see from the first example the acoustic leakage from the left side next to the door. From that, passive noise insulation can be applied to that area to prevent the sound leakage.

As for the second example, we can understand from the sound passing in ceiling where the sewage is flowing. From the sound moving in ceiling, we can pinpoint where is the noisiest part of the pipeline and understand how the noise spreads in the room. With this, noise dampening can applied at the right areas for the tenants comfort.

With this data and the sound sources identified, engineers and technicians can rectify and solve various acoustic and vibration issues faster. More importantly it is all executed with one device without a messy set up or multiple pieces of equipment.

TME Systems provides several models of Acoustic Cameras and Microphone Arrays. Contact us at info@tmesystems.netfor a free consultation.